PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joey Daniels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donnie Richards Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Daniels
vs
Richards Jr

188 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
19
205 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joey Daniels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Donnie Richards Jr!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Dean Styles and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Daniels scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Richards Jr scores with a jab to the head.

It looks like Joey Daniels has been cut.
Richards Jr moves in looking to clinch but Daniels pushes him off.
Daniels bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Daniels looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Richards Jr!
Daniels putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Daniels fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Daniels cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Daniels breaks from Richards Jr's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Daniels breaks from Richards Jr's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Daniels with the ground and pound from mount.
Daniels throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Richards Jr holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Daniels tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Daniels lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Daniels working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Richards Jr can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels landing strikes, looking to finish!
A nice elbow there by Daniels.

Richards Jr is rocked!
Richards Jr tries to hold on but Daniels pushes him away.
Daniels looking to finish Richards Jr with some ground and pound. This is bad for Richards Jr!
Richards Jr is wriggling around trying to escape.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Daniels cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Richards Jr sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Daniels thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Richards Jr's head.
Richards Jr trying to control here.
Daniels throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Daniels thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Richards Jr's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daniels is nestled in close to Richards Jr, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Richards Jr wants to get back to his feet.
Daniels thows a huge punch but Richards Jr dodges it nicely.
Daniels drops an elbow to the side of Richards Jr's head.
Daniels not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Richards Jr misses with a straight right.
A punch combination from Richards Jr misses.

Daniels drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Daniels is breathing heavily.
Daniels working the ground and pound from side control.
Richards Jr takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Daniels working the head with strikes.
Richards Jr tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Daniels wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels working the head with strikes.
Richards Jr wants to control but Daniels postures up.
Richards Jr is looking to reverse the position.
Daniels lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Richards Jr down.
Richards Jr taking punishment in the form of punches.
Richards Jr is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Daniels landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Richards Jr has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Daniels is working away from the top position though.

Richards Jr kicks Daniels off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Daniels shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Richards Jr's guard.
Richards Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Daniels is looking to work some ground and pound but Richards Jr has wrist control.
Richards Jr wants to get back to his feet but Daniels is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Richards Jr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Richards Jr uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Richards Jr scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Richards Jr misses with a takedown attempt

and Daniels moves into the clinch.

Daniels has Richards Jr pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Daniels pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Richards Jr tumbling to the mat - Daniels dives into Richards Jr's guard.
Daniels loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Daniels dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joey Daniels's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Daniels lands the left hand.
Daniels goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Daniels throws a one two combo.
Joey Daniels is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Richards Jr shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Daniels counters by moving into the clinch.
Daniels drops down looking for an ankle pick but Richards Jr pulls his leg out and moves away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Richards Jr.

Richards Jr decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Joey Daniels overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Richards Jr is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Daniels sees it coming and defends easily.
Daniels has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Daniels looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Richards Jr is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Daniels defends it well.

Daniels looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels trying to get back to full guard but Richards Jr takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Richards Jr wants to finish this one by submission but Daniels is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Richards Jr.
Daniels is trying to escape the mount.
Richards Jr can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Daniels is looking to escape.
Richards Jr lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Richards Jr can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Daniels is looking to escape.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Daniels can't escape the position.
Daniels looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Daniels is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Richards Jr biding his time, looking for the opening.
I really don't envy Daniels right now.
Richards Jr lands shots from the back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Daniels is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards Jr scores with punches from the back.

Daniels is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Good standup being displayed there by Richards Jr as he connects with a hook.
Richards Jr shoots in for a takedown but Daniels shows good takedown defense.
Richards Jr throws a hook but Daniels avoids it easily.
A nice combination there by Daniels.

Daniels looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Richards Jr wants to stand but Daniels is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daniels lands a couple of digs.
Daniels loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Daniels postures up.
Daniels with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Daniels throws a strike but Richards Jr rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Richards Jr tries to stand but Daniels is controlling from the bottom.

Daniels is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Richards Jr is aware though and is defending well.
Richards Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Daniels is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Daniels has momentary wrist control but Richards Jr slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Donnie Richards Jr will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Joey Daniels's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Richards Jr gets caught flat footed, as Daniels shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Daniels loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Richards Jr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Daniels thows a big elbow that misses.
Daniels is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Richards Jr looking to control.
Daniels in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Daniels is looking to work some ground and pound but Richards Jr has wrist control.
Daniels trying to control the position from guard on top but Richards Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Richards Jr misses with a shot to the body
and Daniels counters with a series of strikes. Richards Jr will be more careful next time no doubt.
A combination from Richards Jr does no damage.
Richards Jr moves in looking to clinch but Daniels pushes him off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Richards Jr tries to clinch up but Daniels circles away and keeps his distance.
Richards Jr lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Richards Jr is looking to clinch but Daniels is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels misses with the combination.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Daniels misses with a combination

and Richards Jr counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Richards Jr looking to pass the guard.
Daniels keeping moving, preventing Richards Jr from controlling successfully.

Daniels is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Richards Jr gets to his feet. Daniels looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Daniels lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Richards Jr backs up against the cage.

Daniels shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Daniels was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Richards Jr is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Daniels.
Daniels punching from mount but Richards Jr doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Richards Jr blocking the ground and pound.
Richards Jr can't escape the position.
Daniels landing shots from mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Daniels cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Daniels unloads with some shots from mount but Richards Jr bucks and avoids them well.
Richards Jr blocking the ground and pound.
Daniels thowing shots but they're missing.

Daniels moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Richards Jr has worked his arm free - good work by Richards Jr!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards Jr is not content to let Daniels control the position.
Richards Jr is trying to improve his position.
Daniels working the ground and pound but Richards Jr is defending the strikes.
Daniels working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Richards Jr explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Richards Jr misses with a double jab

and Daniels counters with a single leg into guard. Richards Jr didn't expect that.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Daniels's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daniels wants to stand but Richards Jr has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Daniels lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Daniels trying to control but Richards Jr is working from the bottom.

Richards Jr working for a triangle but Daniels defends it easily.
Daniels scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Richards Jr wants to stand and escape but Daniels is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joey Daniels showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Daniels has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joey Daniels!